The Whizz-Kidz Taj Mahal Challenge  

NOTE:  Whizz-Kidz no longer run this challenge.  For details of the current Whizz-Kidz' challenges please contact the charity at www.whizz-kidz.org.uk 

The 341km Challenge will take us  from the bustling cities of Delhi and Jaipur and along a route through traditional countryside at the relaxed pace of rural India.

As a fitting end to this special journey we finish the ride at the gates of the famous Taj Mahal in the city of Agra, ancient capital of the Mogul Empire.

The Whizz-Kidz Taj Mahal Challenge will be a unique opportunity to meet the people of Rajasthan and to experience something of the village life that few ordinary tourists see during their time in India.

There is no better way to discover this historic region Of India than by cycling through its rarely visited villages, Stopping at local schools and temples and passing the Sariska Tiger Reserve and the bird and animal sanctuary of Keoladeo along the way. 

This is our Itinerary 

DAY 1 (Friday) Traveling:

We meet our Whizz-Kidz representatives at London's Heathrow Airport and leave in the early afternoon, arriving in Delhi (jetlagged) just before 9am on Saturday.

DAY 2 (Saturday) In Delhi:

After checking-in to our hotel, our challenge leader will brief us on the route and then the rest of the day is free, with time to adjust to the sights, sounds and smells of India.

Delhi is the capital of India and has a long and fascinating history. There are plenty of places to visit, including the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid (the Great Mosque) and India Gate. We will also have an opportunity to shop.

DAY 3 (Sunday) By bus to Jaipur:

We travel by bus into Rajasthan, one of India's most colorful and vibrant provinces. On arrival in Jaipur, the famed 'Pink City' founded by Maharajah Jai Singh, we will stop to take an elephant ride up to the majestic Amber Fort.  

We have the rest of the afternoon to explore the city, visiting the City Palace and the Hawa Mahal - the Palace of the Winds originally built to allow the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life of the city without being observed.

DAY4 (Monday) Jaipur to Saintbal (68km):

Now the hard work starts. 

The cycle ride itself begins at the beautiful pink Zoriwar Singh Gateway. We cycle to the lake of Ramgarh and stop for lunch in a shady spot under a banyan tree.

After lunch we continue, passing traditional farmland with fields of lentils and chick peas, and cycling through the colorful market towns of Andhi and Sainthal, where we will camp for the night.

DAY 5 (Tuesday) Sainthal to Malakhera (80km) :

Today we will be cycling along a dry, rocky valley and then through a wooded forest area which gradually becomes flat farmland. We will be passing many of the people of Rajasthan on foot and bike. Our route today also takes us past the Sariska Tiger Reserve.  

We end the day in the village of Malakhera, in time to visit the village to appreciate something of the lifestyle in this part of India.

DAY 6(Wednesday) Malakhera to Deeg (82Km):  

The longest day of the Challenge. We will be cycling through lots of small, very rarely visited villages and along fairly rough roads in the province of Alwar.  

Passing the villages of Laxmangarh, Kathumar and Nagar, and stopping to visit a local village school, we will end the day in Deeg, relaxing with a visit to the quiet sanctuary of its Hindu temple.

DAY 7 (Thursday) Deeg to Fatehpur Sikri (70km):

Today we cycle southwards into the province of Bharatpur, visiting the Keoladeo Sanctuary with its amazing variety of colorful and exotic birds.

We will ride through the park, have lunch, and then carry on for the final 20km towards the abandoned Royal City of Fatehpur Sikri where we will spend the night.

The fascinating and mysterious city of Fatehpur Sikri, one of the most perfectly preserved 'ghost towns' imaginable, was built at the height of the Moghul Empire at the end of the 17th century. It   contains   tombs,   mosques   and   palace   architecture reflecting  the religions of the Emperor Akbar’s three wives Hindu, Muslim and Christian.  

DAY 8 (Friday) Fatehpur Sikri to the Taj Mahal (42km):

We start the day with an early morning visit to Fatehpur Sikri, where we will be given a guided tour. After breakfast we begin the last day's cycling.  

Safely guided through the bustling streets of Agra, we finally arrive at our destination, the world famous Taj Mahal. There we have lunch and spend the afternoon before proceeding to our hotel, complete with open air swimming pool.

DAY 9 (Saturday) Agra and back to Delhi:

We pay an early morning visit to the Taj Mahal for the sunrise of a lifetime and then continue to the imposing Red Fort.  

The fort is a fitting testimony to the Great Moghul Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jehan - and was built at a time when Agra was the capital of the mighty Moghul Empire.

We will also be able to spend time relaxing around the pool at our hotel before transferring back to Delhi in time to catch the night flight.

DAY 10 (Sunday) Delhi to London:

Leaving Delhi in the early hours we will arrive back at Heathrow on Sunday morning.

The Whizz-Kidz Taj Mahal Challenge will be tough, but it is not a race and anyone with a good level of health and fitness will be able to complete the route. We will cycle along the quieter country roads, away from the main highways, and our crews will take good care of you.

The route from Jaipur to the Taj Mahal is along flat, fairly rough country roads. You will be provided with a good quality mountain bike without gears.

There will be a forward vehicle, a back-up bus and an accompanying crew including a medical team with us throughout the ride. All our gear, our camping equipment, food and supplies are carried on the bus, and if you need to take a break from cycling you can ride on the bus or on the jeep that goes ahead of the group.